Primary Productivity and Growth Dynamics of the “Brown Tide” in Long Island Embayments

Abstract

Many coastal embayments of Long Island have recently experienced algal blooms. These began in the summer of 1985 and are unprecedented in their persistence (~6 months) and density (>109 cells l-1) relative to previous summers (Lively et al., 1983; Bruno et al., 1983). These monospecific blooms were popularly called the “brown tide” due to the resulting water color. The blooms markedly reduced the extent of eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds because of increased light attenuation, and decimated populations of commercially valuable bay scallops (Argopecten irradians irradians) since the scallops were unable to graze adequately and starved to death (Cosper et al., 1987).

Cottrell, M.T., E.M. Cosper and E.J. Carpenter, in prep. The specific growth rate of in situ populations of a blooming chlorophyte in Great South Bay, New York: comparison with turnover rates of photic zone phytoplankton carbon.Google Scholar

Ryther, J.H., R.F. Vaccaro, E.M. Hulbert, C.S. Yentsch, and R.R.L. Guillard. 1958. Report on a survey of the chemistry, biology and hydrography of Great South Bay and Moriches Bay conducted during June and September, 1958 for the Township of Islip and Brookhaven, Long Island, New York. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Ref. #58–57, unpublished manuscript.Google Scholar

Throndsen, J. and S. Kristiansen. 1985. Pelagococcus subviridis as a major component of the nannoplankton at Haltenbanken, Norwegian Sea in July 1982. Abstrs, second International Phycol. Congr., Copenhagen p. 160.Google Scholar